Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, [email protected]
THE Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, working closely with its technical working group, is set to present the Safeguarding and Gender Equity, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Strategy, a major policy framework aimed at strengthening learner protection and promoting inclusive education across Zimbabwe.
The strategy forms part of the ministry’s broader drive to build a modern, child-centred education system that guarantees safety, equity and meaningful participation for all learners, regardless of gender, disability or social background. It represents a significant step in aligning the country’s education sector with global best practice and national development priorities.
Announcing the development on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Torerayi Moyo said the strategy had been developed through extensive collaboration with key stakeholders.
“I am delighted to share that the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is actively engaging our Technical Working Group to present the Safeguarding and Gender Equity, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Strategy,” he wrote.
“This comprehensive strategy, developed with invaluable support from our longstanding partner, the Education Development Trust (EDT), marks a pivotal advancement in our ongoing efforts to foster safe, equitable, and truly inclusive education environments for every learner in Zimbabwe.”
The GEDSI Strategy places strong emphasis on safeguarding learners from abuse and exploitation, advancing gender equity, and ensuring the meaningful inclusion of learners with disabilities. Disability inclusion entails creating an enabling environment where persons with disabilities actively participate in education and enjoy their rights on an equal basis with others. The policy push comes against the backdrop of ongoing Government efforts to bridge long-standing inequalities within the education sector, particularly between urban and rural schools.
Recently, the Government, with support from development partners, rolled out Information and Communication Technology (ICT) gadgets to previously marginalised schools in Manicaland and Matabeleland South provinces.
A total of 815 laptops, 708 projectors and 2,112 tablets were donated to the Ministry by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in a move aimed at enhancing digital learning, improving teaching methods and supporting inclusive education.
Minister Moyo said the GEDSI Strategy complements such interventions by embedding inclusivity and protection into the education system’s foundation.
Minister Moyo said by strengthening robust learner protection mechanisms, championing gender equity, ensuring meaningful inclusion for learners with disabilities and promoting broader social inclusion, the ministry is upholding its core commitment to leaving no child behind.
He added that the strategy aligns seamlessly with the Heritage-Based Curriculum, the principles of Unhu/Ubuntu and Zimbabwe’s national development priorities.
“We extend our sincere gratitude to Education Development Trust for their continued collaboration and technical expertise in realising this vision. Together with all stakeholders, we remain resolute in building a modern, inclusive Education System that empowers every child to reach their full potential,” said Minister Moyo.
According to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD), disability is an evolving concept and includes persons with long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.
The GEDSI Strategy is expected to provide a coordinated framework for addressing these barriers within schools, ensuring that Zimbabwe’s education system is not only accessible, but also safe, equitable and inclusive for all learners.
